The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has ordered 437 schools under its jurisdiction to be closed today (Jan 22, 2020) as air pollution has hit dangerous levels, the Thai-language daily Thai Rath reported.
Pollution in Bangkok has been getting worse since early this month. Unsafe PM2.5 levels were on Jan 21, 2020 detected in 50 of 52 areas in greater Bangkok, ranging from 55 to 89 microgrammes per cubic metre of air (µg/m3), exceeding the government-set “safe” threshold of 50µg/m3.
In the central Thai province of Nakhon Sawan, where the annual Chinese New Year is celebrated, locals and tourists are advised to collect joss ticks as soon as they have finished the annual praying ceremony.